Clearer guidelines on maids' off day needed

Maid agencies are calling for clearer guidelines on the mandatory day off for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) to ensure a smooth introduction of the new law next year.

Some would like more clarity on the definition of a rest day.

Under the new regulation, employers and their maids will be given the flexibility to mutually agree on which day of the week the rest day falls on.

Mr Tay Khoon Beng, director, Best Home Employment Agency, said: "If the domestic helper follows the employer on weekends for a picnic for the whole day, is that considered a rest? So, these guidelines must be provided to us so that we can explain to the helpers the definition of rest."

The new law is also silent on how many hours make up a maid's rest day.

Mr Tay believes that some benchmark will help them be better prepared.

Besides a clearer definition of a rest day, employment agencies also would like guidelines on how to deal with disputes. They say a mediation mechanism needs to be put in place involving the agencies.

Even though maid agencies wants some guidelines on what a rest day means, they agree that flexibility is also needed when employers and maids negotiate. This is important in order to maintain a harmonious relationship between them.

In addition, maid agencies said starting next year, they will be more strict in their selection criteria of foreign domestic workers.

This is to ensure only those who are serious about working in Singapore are brought in.

They hope this will help allay employers concerns about the social implications of the new law.

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